College administration want your opinion.
Dear students,
The College of Natural Sciences is considering adding a new degree plan which would be available to all majors in all of our departments. We are developing a flexible, interdisciplinary degree called the Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA) that allows you to pursue a major in math or science, as well as a minor or certificate program. The idea is to have a core experience in math/science (eg: a BSA-Biology), but then allow students to pair it with something interdisciplinary (business foundations, communications or health-professional certificate, a minor in psychology or Greek Civilization, you name it).
Such a proposal is being worked on now, with departments considering whether and how they could develop a core science/math block. If considered favorably at the College level, the proposal would have to go before additional committees at the university level and finally go on to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The proposal is still in its early stages and has a ways to go. If approved this summer, it would be available starting in the 2014-2016 catalog; any student here at UT graduating during that time period (or later) would be able to pursue this new BSA degree structure (or one of the existing BS degrees).
Here is where you come in: A new initiative like this works best when students like you provide feedback. The Natural Sciences Council will host a special Town Hall on March 25 at 5pm in WEL 3.502 to discuss the new degree proposal. I will be there, as will Assistant Dean Cathy Stacy who oversees degrees in the college, Assistant Dean Mike Raney who oversees advising, Dr. Ruth Franks, Director of the Career Design Center, and Lesley Riley, Director of the Health Professions Office. Together, we will take your questions on what the degree entails, how it would work well for people going to medical school, or how it might help with students seeking employment or graduate study in interdisciplinary areas.
I hope your spring break was restful and you are recharged to finish out the semester. I look forward to your participation in the discussion next week on March 25.
Sacha Kopp
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education
College of Natural Sciences
PS: This month's issue of the student paper, the Catalyst, is now available. There are great articles about picking classes, the fall break, the new Gates complex, and more. http://utcatalyst.tumblr.com/
Comments 2
Wow.. I sure wish I could have had this option while I was still at UT. I'm graduating this semester.. such a shame.
This sounds like an AMAZING idea. As a Natural Science student, I've always felt restricted with my course schedule--I even considered switching out of the College all together, because I was so frustrated that I couldn't minor in anything. If this proposal is passed, I feel like all of our Natural Science students would be getting an amazing opportunity to explore more things here at UT. I am really excited to see this proposal pass. Hook em'!